Puck Wire: Top Hockey News Of The Day – December 5th

Hello friends! Another busy night of NHL hockey is just hours away, so let’s skip the pleasantries and get right down to it with today’s spin around the hockey world. We’ll take a look at the latest from the Seattle arena story, a look at the league’s most valuable team, a look at what could have been for Team USA and more.

– Big night last night for those wanting the NHL to make Seattle it’s newest market in the coming years. Seattle City Council passed a bill that will pave the way for a massive renovation project at Key Arena, former home of the NBA’s Super Sonics. Satchel Price of SB Nation has more on this major development in the Pacific Northwest here.

– NHL’ers won’t be going to the Olympics this February, so we know Team USA will have quite a different look to it in South Korea. What if the NHL was going, however? What group of NHL’ers would be representing the USA, trying to avenge a terrible showing both in Sochi and at the World Cup of Hockey, if the NHL were going? Kevin Allen of USA Today takes a look at just that here.

– Speaking of the Winter Olympics, Russia has rightfully been banned and will not have a hockey team at the event. The New York Times has the full story here.

– Which teams are the most valuable in the NHL? Forbes has its annual look at franchise values up, and ranks the top teams in the league. The good news for everyone? NHL team values are up 15% according to the article. Take out the list of teams by value and more here.